Book sale funds will support library programs during renovation

Suffield resident Steven Damon purchases a stack of books from volunteer Judy Hodgman during the book sale held by the Friends of Kent Memorial Library. Photo by Wendy Pierman Mitzel.

Suffield resident Steven Damon purchases a stack of books from volunteer Judy Hodgman during the book sale held by the Friends of Kent Memorial Library. Photo by Wendy Pierman Mitzel.

Wendy Pierman Mitzel, ReminderNewsReminder News

Friends of Kent Memorial Library book sale raises $17,000 to support library during renovation

The Friends of Kent Memorial Library celebrated on Sunday, Sept. 7, after learning their weekend-long annual book sale during Suffield On The Green generated nearly $17,000.

"It's the most we've ever made," said Beth Chafetz, president of FOKML.

Roughly 30,000 donated books covered dozens of tables outdoors, and also inside the auditorium. Children poured over colorful board books and collectors combed through antique and rare publications. College students collected classics and home health care aids stocked up on paperbacks they can give to their elderly clients.

"It was great," said the new library director, Jackie Hemond. "The Friends are very efficient and hard-working. Bob White has a skill for arranging things. It's all very impressive; a huge effort they work at all year long."

The funds raised during the sale are used to cover the majority of adult and children's programming offered at the library. It's particularly important this year as the library moves to temporary quarters at 61 Ffyler Place during construction of a new $1.4 million addition.

"It will allow the library staff to have the flexibility to run as may programs as they can in the temporary space," said Chafetz.

"We're going to keep all the programs we have in place and maybe move them to other locations," said Hemond.

Hemond said the library will offer more digital products this year, along with a books for the home-bound delivery system. She's excited to offer residents the ability to use Ancestry.com at the library. Other adjustments will be made as the move happens and the staff can better judge the usable space.

The construction improvements will make the library, built in 1971, compliant with standards for a historic building under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The new addition will have a ground level entrance as well as an elevator and new bathrooms. Additional parking is another improvement to the library. Construction on the new handicap-compliant library entrance is scheduled to begin in November.

The Suffield Public Library Foundation spearheaded the renovations plans and raised the money necessary to move the project forward. The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving contributed with a $200,000 grant. Additional funding comes from the Town of Suffield, the Suffield Library Commission, the Connecticut Historic Restoration Fund and private donations.

For more information on library programs and updates on the library construction plans, visit http://www.suffield-library.org.